FARM BILL PETITION TAKES LIFE

SEPTEMBER 2012

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(Posted Fri. Sep 14th, 2012)

Sept. 14: Only a day after hundreds of America’s farmers participated in the Farm Bill Now rally on Capitol Hill, Representative Bruce Braley filed a petition to require the House of Representatives to vote on the 2012 farm bill before the fall recess. To be successful, the petition requires 218 signatures are achieved.

“NCGA greatly appreciates Representative Braley’s action to begin the process of the discharge petition,” NCGA President Garry Niemeyer said. “The September 30 expiration of current law is only a few short weeks away, and we need Congress to do their job. We urge all members of the House of Representatives to sign the discharge petition before the end of next week. ”

NCGA has previously stated that delaying a new farm bill would mean even deeper cuts in farm and nutrition program spending in 2013 and greater uncertainty for farmers’ long-term planning. In addition, a new Congress would restart the legislative process which must allow both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to appoint new members and to reorganize prior to taking up the farm bill.

“The farm bill, among other things, provides farmers the opportunity to make sound business decisions, which is critical after years such as this,” Niemeyer said. “We encourage all of our farmers to contact their representatives, even if they have to call from the combine, and let them know the importance of this critical legislation.”